By ANN Space Correspondent Wes Oleszewski

Ten years ago this month, SpaceShipOne made its final flight and won the coveted X-Prize; the date was October 4th, 2004. I was there, as a part of a three-man primary news team on the inside covering the event for the Aero-News Network.

In mid September of that same year I was contacted by ANNs Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, and invited to join the news team at Mojave, California for the X-Prize. At first, I was torn on whether or not I should go. My daughter was just about ready to take her first steps and as a part of getting out of the cockpit and becoming a stay-at-home daddy, the deal was that I would not have to miss such events as that.

When I told my wife about my dilemma, she, (being also an Embry-Riddle alumnus and in the aviation industry), she reminded me that the flights for the XPrize were not only singular in aviation history, but in spaceflight history as well. Then she gave a simple ultimatum, If you dont go, I will!

As a result I coached our baby girl like Scotty Bowman preparing for a Stanly Cup bid. She took her first steps the evening before I left for Mojave.

When Campbell first offered me the chance to cover X-Prize, he told me we would be on the inside. To which I asked myself, how much on the inside? To give all of you readers an idea of just how inside we were I will cite an event that took place just after the final flight. Every media outlet on the planet had suddenly discovered Mojave before that final flight and they came crowding in. There was a post-flight news conference that was being held in a room that could lawfully fit less than a third of those who wanted to cover the moment. Thus, X-Prize saw fit to limit access by issuing gold stars for those being allowed in, to stick to their badges. As Campbell, Kevin Hognose OBrien and myself, who were the primary ANN team, elbowed our way through the throng trying to get into the building, we heard the security lady at the doors saying repeatedly, Only those with gold stars can get in!

Looking at our badges, we did not have any stinking gold stars. Campbell just said, Dont worry about it. As we pushed through the door we gave a wave to the lady and simply went in. Behind us I heard some shouts of Hey! Those guys dont have gold stars! To which she replied simply, Those guys dont need gold stars.

THAT is how inside ANN was at XPrize.

Here is the original post:

XPRIZE 2004: A Ten Year Remembrance By A Member of the ANN/XP News Team